# Chordion : Musical Instrument & MIDI Controller — user reviews > 232 indexed App Store user reviews of Chordion by Olympia Noise Co., rated 4.60/5 from 45 ratings. - Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/chordion-musical-instrument-and-midi-controller/id552182095/reviews - App overview in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/chordion-musical-instrument-and-midi-controller/id552182095.md - Rating breakdown: 5★ 35 · 4★ 4 · 3★ 4 · 2★ 2 · 1★ 0 ## What do users think of Chordion? Overall sentiment: positive **Pros** - 🎨 Elegant and intuitive interface - 🎹 Powerful chord and scale capabilities - 🎶 Inspiring and creative music-making - 🎛️ Versatile MIDI controller functionality - 💰 Great value for the price **Cons** - 🐛 Stability issues and crashes - 🔇 Limited sound engine and drum samples - 🔀 Confusing preset management - 🔍 Unclear documentation and onboarding - 🔌 Lack of MIDI clock sync and recording **Commonly reported bugs** - Crashes on iOS 14 and later - MIDI connectivity issues with external apps - Drum machine and arpeggiator not working in MIDI mode **Most requested features** - Expanded sound library and synth engine - Improved preset management and organization - MIDI clock sync and recording capabilities - Customizable chord and scale layouts - Audiobus and Inter-App Audio integration ## Newest reviews (19 of 232) ### 3/5 — Amazing but abandoned *2026-01-04, version 1.51* Please Dev don't abandon Chordion. Give it a proper update please. It's an amazing app and i'd be happy to pay for a v2. ### 3/5 — Classic.. love to see this go Auv3 *2025-04-26, version 1.51* I purchased Chordian when was first released and always enjoyed it, very smooth and great design I’d really like to see it rise up and go Auv3 ### 4/5 — Un must have *2023-04-05, version 1.51* Pourtant une petite mise à jour serait la bienvenue ne serait ce que pour avoir le nom du preset en cours à minima. Couplé avec D1 , il a remplace mon synthe sur scène. ### 3/5 — iPad only *2023-02-27, version 1.51* nice app, but why is it iPad only? I have music apps with MUCH denser UIs than this which work fine on iPhone. ### 4/5 — please come back *2021-02-12, version 1.51* This app is wonderful, but it definitely needs some bug fixes. It’d be perfect otherwise. Some more drum types would be nice too. ### 3/5 — Great, but no way to save files *2021-02-06, version 1.51* I love this app, it’s designed in such a way that it’s really intuitive and even a beginner like me is able to make little tracks that I’m happy with. However, every single track I do, I’m unable to save. When I play the file back, it is in a really high tempo and sounds unrecognisable to what I played. I have been scouring online for a solution for a couple of months to no avail, and even posted on the Olympia noise forums and nobody replied to me. It could be something that I don’t understand as I am still a beginner but saving songs should be pretty simple and since I’m unable to do that, this app becomes more just a nice way to pass time as opposed to an app I could use to create cute little tracks for animations etc. I’m hoping I can get a solution to this as I love the app, and would love to be able to actually hear back what I’m making. ### 3/5 — UPDATE PLEASE *2021-01-23, version 1.51* Mise à jour nécessaire pour lui redonner un coup de jeune : enregistrer à la volée des suites d’accords, un mode strum random pour faire autre chose que du plaquage de notes, humaniser un peu et parallèlement un mode quantize sur le clavier de droite. Ableton link et plein de petits détails qui lui redonneraient 5 étoiles sans soucis. Dommage ### 3/5 — Crashes in iOS 14.x *2020-12-15, version 1.51* Great app while it was working in iOS13.x, but not working for me on two devices running iOS14.x. ### 2/5 — Not iOS 14 compatible. *2020-10-07, version 1.51* App crashing on iOS 14 on launch. Please fix. ### 3/5 — No MIDI for drums or arp *2020-09-05, version 1.51* It’s a lovely, smooth interface, but there’s no way to sync its clock with anything else. The arp and drum machine are internal only. This is a bizarre decision that really hampers the app from becoming much more useful. So disappointing. ### 3/5 — Pas d’Audio Unit *2020-02-02, version 1.51* Application fort sympathique mais qui mériterait, comme l’on fait quasiment tous les autres séquenceurs/générateurs d’accords, une bonne mis à jour avec le support de l’audio unit. ### 4/5 — Very nice but could be perfect. *2019-12-21, version 1.51* As expected based on my use of this developer’s flagship app “Patterning 2”, the app is incredibly well thought out. It is super user friendly, logical, has excellent user interface, nice graphics, simple yet powerful functionality. However, few things are making it just a tiny bit short of being perfect: ***Poor drum sound selection and on top of it very limited control of each drum instrument’s sound. ***No MIDI out for the drum machine. The user manual incorrectly states “The drum machine and arpeggiator are also disabled in MIDI mode” implying that the drum machine does send MIDI notes but it’s not the case and, unlike arpeggiator, its audio is not disabled. Of course, the drum machine in the Chordion is rather basic, especially compared to something as complex as Patterning 2, but it would be fantastic if it could have its own MIDI out. The limited sound drums of the Chordion would no longer be an issue. It would be an awesome feature if the drum sequence made in Chordion could be sent to Patterning as some kind of set for further modification. Yes, it’s not that much work to do it manually anyway considering that the sequencer has just 16 steps and 6 tracks but still it would be great. ***Only 16 steps for drum sequencer. I really don’t want the app to get any heavier and over complicated - as it is now it is great for students and people experimenting, learning about harmony, chords progression and scales, but doubling the steps count in the sequencer would allow more interesting rhythms. ***Can’t save user chords as a layout to be used in “generate layout”. You can of course save the entire state of the Chordion but being able to save / load just the chords layout as a user preset would be very useful because then it could be transposed into other keys as a whole (like in case of factory layouts). ***On that last note, a simple global transposition slider would simplify many things ***The BMP stated in the sequencer is double of what is typically stated in sequencers when in 16 steps mode (including Patterning 2) so the highest equivalent tempo is only 150. ***I wish pressing the keys on the keyboard meant for programming the scales (the horizontally displayed keyboard) was playing the given notes. Much easier to program the scales this way! ### 4/5 — Super fun controller *2019-11-22, version 1.51* This does a lot of what I wish the Q-Chord would do, I just wish the slider ran the long side of the screen, and had 3 octaves more range. Fun with organ and synth controls. ### 4/5 — 2 Years last update *2019-09-01, version 1.51* Show some luv😀 ### 5/5 — My fave since day one 👍🏾 *2018-05-05, version 1.51* I’ve had this app since release and at first I just played around with it, but when I started to really experiment with my other music apps, I was totally amazed by how it would play my music apps versus me playing it directly. Another cool thing is that I can play Chordion through my DAW (Reason) and it sounds great! The Midi setup is rather simple on Mac. I do agree with one review to have notes on the keys would be cool, otherwise I love this app and it’s not never leaving my device. ### 4/5 — Needs note names *2017-11-29, version 1.51* I really like this app and want to use it more frequently. There are a few simple labeling improvements that would make this app a lot more helpful. Please include the names of the notes on the keyboard for individual notes on the right. Also the chords need roman numerals for their degree. ### 5/5 — Next generation of musical interface *2017-10-05, version 1.51* I don't know many app makers as consistent and intuitive and innovative as Olympia. Chordion is yet again a true hit. It allows you to find a harmonic space and then explore that space melodically right alongside. We need more apps like this one out there, and at that really changes the way you interact with and think about music. ### 5/5 — Best "chord" app out there *2017-08-16, version 1.51* I have tried a number of midi controller apps for non keyboard players and this is by far the best. The ability to save your own scenes, to configure the chord layout, the note choices within the chord is the best thought out design for all apps. I wish it had a little more control on velocity via an expression wheel but that's all ### 5/5 — Perfect Music app *2017-07-19, version 1.51* Love the chord editing And Midi playtrough for in my DAW Great app!! ## Most critical reviews (10 lowest-rated) ### 1/5 — Be honested with the consumer! *2024-05-31, version 1.51* I bought app 2 and instead of updating, you simply removed it from the store and launched app 3. I won't buy anything from this company anymore. Please be honest with the consumer! ### 1/5 — Zero Stars *2017-03-15, version 1.50* This app has not been updated for two years. Then last night, updated appeared and this new updated version is full of bugs up to that stage that you can not use it any more. I took it off all of my devices and it will never go back. ### 1/5 — Poor quality poor sound poor functionality *2016-05-25, version 1.41* Very disappointed ### 1/5 — App stürzt ab *2015-12-13, version 1.41* Unter der neuen iOS läuft die App nicht .... Da sollte schnell gehandelt werden ### 1/5 — Needs Bluetooth support! *2015-05-11, version 1.41* MIDI to Bluetooth would work 100x better than over wifi ### 1/5 — Garbage *2015-04-28, version 1.41* DO Not waste your money on this or Chordion 2 when they come out with that load of junk. This app sucked before the update and now is even worse with no sound coming out of the synth. DO NOT BUY THIS OR THE NEXT VERSION OF GARBAGE THAT THEY RELEASE! ### 1/5 — Chordion *2015-02-07, version 1.40* Latest ios app does not work.Locks up,keeps re starting. Paid for this app and as yet unable to get a sinle note out of it. Very Unhappy ### 1/5 — Why try to fix something that is fine? *2014-12-02, version 1.40* Chordion used to be my most used app - it was great. The recent updates have rendered it totally useless though. Why feel the need to mess with things that were fine in the first place? ### 1/5 — Doesn't work *2014-10-17, version 1.40* This app simply won't open. Every single time, a few seconds of a black screen, then crash/close. Completely worthless. Do not recommend, even if free. ### 1/5 — Nul !!! *2014-02-24, version 1.32* N achetez surtout pas cette "application" pas ergonomique pas intuitif son DEGUELASSE vraiment passer votre chemin.. ## Most praised reviews (10 highest-rated) ### 5/5 — 2024 - still exactly what I need *2024-02-06, version 1.51* This app is brilliant. After the disappointing cost announcement of the OM-108, I thought I’d look at alternatives. Not only is this a great sounding instrument with tonnes of options, presets, and customisation, but it’s a superb MIDI controller. Get yourself a cheap lightning to female USB-A adapter, and I can connect my iPad to my Model D synth and play all the beautiful scales with ease, just using a printer cable (USB-A to USB-B). Not only that, a MIDI cable coming out of the MIDI THRU port on the Model D, into the MIDI IN of my 20 year old microKorg, and it can control that too. MIDI has been around for such a long time, so great to see it still being used here. You can also split the MIDI signal from this app to do 2 different channels, one for the chords, and one for the arp/touchpad. Best £3 I’ve spent in a long time. ### 5/5 — Inspiring MIDI Controller *2023-07-13, version 1.51* I continue to come back to this app to use as a MIDI controller and source of inspiration. When I have a question, the developer responds quickly to questions which is appreciated. I’m also happy to support an indie developer. ### 5/5 — Simple and Clean *2023-04-09, version 1.51* I was looking forward to the Suzuki company’s re-release of the popular Omnichord instrument coming later this year. I fell in love with the sound of the instrument as it was the first I had ever listened to when trying headphones for the first time as a kid. They became impossible to get a hold of easily since their explosion in popularity. With this elegant and beautiful app, there’s no need for it anymore. I’m very impressed! ### 5/5 — Great midi control app to make iPad music easy *2023-01-04, version 1.51* My favourite app for composing melody and chord lines on the fly…midi control to Cubasis etc is simple with background audio turned on in the DAW app ### 5/5 — Muy util *2022-10-28, version 1.51* Si conoces omnichord vas a apreciar mucho esta app con un bonito sonido y también para usar como teclado midi. Solo queda para ser perfecta, una actualización con control midi desde AUM… ### 5/5 — One of my most used apps *2022-03-27, version 1.51* I love this app. I believe I own every app from Olympia noise co. Top class dev. Dear dev, would you consider making this run on iPhone too, please? It’s such a huge waste having to get an iPad to run it and there’s so little room left on my rig. I’m sure many of your users would agree. ### 5/5 — Need notes name on the right side *2021-10-06, version 1.51* Is there any manual about what notes are on the right side? They need to be named. Do not understand how do they colorified in light or dark shades. ### 5/5 — Still amazing *2020-04-14, version 1.51* I still love this app even though it has been out for a long time. It is one that I still find myself opening up and using after all these years. Perfect for nice ambient jams and deeper than you might think it is... ### 5/5 — Awesome *2019-11-19, version 1.51* Greatly exceeded my expectations! So much vibe and character. ### 5/5 — Stunning *2019-04-09, version 1.51* harmony itself --- *Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-06-08.*